Southwestern College Collegian

Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Collegian Front Page

Media Credit: Anthony Cook Max Thompson, retired biology professor, is surrounded by 1,000 poinsettias in the greenhouse. Thompson has been growing the plants for several months. The poinsettas are $13 and include a pot cover.

Countless rows of red and green leaved plants line tables of a portion of the greenhouse. Just their presence brings the feeling of the holidays.

Poinsettias are the No. 1 pot plant in America. Even though they are grown all year round, they are most popular at Christmas time.

Currently they are being sold to raise money to help cover the operating cost for the greenhouse. Tanner McNinch, biology and pre-med sophomore, is the student greenhouse manager. He has been helping to care for the poinsettias. "I recently have been taking care of watering, as well as general care for around 1,000 poinsettia pots," said McNinch.

The poinsettias take a little over three months before they can be sold. Max Thompson, retired biology professor, runs the greenhouse. Thompson said, "We plant them the first week of September and they are ready to go by the second week of November." Most of the plants will be sold to local churches and businesses in town. Some plants are given to college donors.

Sales began two weeks ago and will run through Dec. 20. A three bloom plant is $13 and includes a pot cover. Adding a bow is just 75 cents.

Poinsettias are not the only plants grown and sold in the greenhouse. Orchids are sold year round, but the biggest sellers are bedding plants and poinsettias.

The greenhouse has been around since 1972 and Thompson has been working there since its creation.

Thompson doesn't work for the college anymore, but still enjoys volunteering his time to the greenhouse. "I like the greenhouse. It gives me something to do," said Thompson

McNinch also benefits from his work. He said, "I like the flexibility to my schedule, working with my hands, getting to play in the dirt, and watching my work grow and progress."

Cameron Siefkes is a sophomore majoring in communication. You may e-mail her at cameron.siefkes@sckans.edu.

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